There are more than 150 waterways shown on this map. Philip bristow cruised the inland waterways of france for over 20 years. Canals of provence small group tour club adventures by aaa. Waterways of the netherlands is available for download or as a printed book. A unique model that we have completely recreated and redesigned to re discover france.
Choose your size of boat from 212 people, its level of luxury, and the steering position. Understanding the navigation routes with the main inland waterways through france. They have a colourful history, from use for irrigation and transport, through becoming the focus of the industrial revolution, to todays role of recreational boating. This waterways experience will take you to northeast france, following routes that are well away from humdrum, everyday life. Sailing gently, my new utube channel, cannot have its name displayed before it gets 100 subscribers. Sep 15, 2009 i was disappointed in this booklet which i purchased prior to a barge trip on the canal du midi.
Boat bases throughout france cruise the famous canal du midi, the wine regions of burgundy, the unique camargue, rural brittany and more. After the end of world war ii, the growth of transport by inland waterway in europe, coordinated by the various international authorities, resulted in an enlarged and integrated network brought up to a minimum common standard for craft of 1,350 tons. Its the enjoyable and ecological friendly way to find out cycling tourism in france, planning your holidays, biking trips or cycling tours and weekends on bicycle paths, greenways and other bicycle routes in france. The air draft is an important consideration when buying a barge. David jefferson is a frequent visitor to the french canals and a regular contributor to both yachting monthly and motor boat and yachting on the french inland waterways system. The detailed maps show locations of towns, locks, marinas, mooring places and rentalboat bases. Our barges on the canals of france croisieurope cruises.
The suez canal is a manmade waterway connecting the mediterranean sea to the indian ocean via the red sea. Many titles are available from the inland waterways association online shop. Understanding the navigation routes with the main inland waterways through france regional maps. It covers the many canals in southern france besides the canal du midi, and unfortunately the information on each is skimpy.
There are dozens of possible cruises, along a single canal. We have brought back to life a historical navigation mode on french canals. Maps showing the major rivers and canal networks in various french regions. The network is divided into eight regions, with between 7 and 15 waterways under each region. While the thesis for this book was an english narrowboat canal boat taken down england, across the channel, into belgium, and then to the south of france, the actual amount of material devoted to boating or canal details could have been summed up in less than 15 pages. Cruising french waterways has rapidly become the leading descriptive guide to the astonishingly varied network of rivers and canals that penetrate almost every region of france. Euromapping, who used to produce the european waterways map and directory, appears to have ceased trading. Cast off at the helm of your self drive canal boat and take a leisurely cruise at your own pace, along the canals and rivers, among the most beautiful in europe or unwind aboard a leisurely luxury hotel barge and meander the inland waterways of france. In france canals pass through tunnels and arched bridges. The canal du midi links the atlantic ocean to the mediterranean sea and is a protected world heritage site. Cities, villages and countryside are often very accessible by natural or manmade waterways.
The former provides a northsouth access through france and is a 200mile masterpiece of preindustrial. Through the french canals has probably tempted more people to explore the beautiful waterways of france than any other book. We gather this evening to say farewell to our adventures in southern france. The title of this delightful book merely hints at the extended journey inside. In holland where many barges were built, there are many lifting bridges and height is not a problem. Winner of the thomas cook guide book award, it is full of fascinating information on the history and commercial activities of each area, as well as the historical sites, chateaux and scenic attractions of the many. If you have little up to date knowledge of the canals and rivers between northern europe and the mediterranean, i have published a book which should give you all the information you need in order to get the correct french recognised qualifications and licences to take the boat into the inland waterways of france. The comprehensive imray book click lefthand inland waterways of france and its accompanying map click righthand cover all the rivers and canals of france in full descriptive detail.
The canal had been falling into a bad state of repair but grants have. Through the french canals by david jefferson overdrive. Mar 20, 2009 through the french canals has probably tempted more people to explore the beautiful waterways of france than any other book. Boats within size limits can pass through from the english channel to the med. Churches with oniondomed belltowers, halftimbered houses, villages in bloom and hanging gardens. A bestseller for many years and now in its 11th edition, it is the essential planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the stunning scenery of the french waterways, or who is simply on passage from the english channel to the mediterranean.
But this seasoned traveller me found the canalpaths the answer for recreational relaxing, as noted above. France has thousands of kilometres of canals crisscrossing right through the country, the majority of which have towpaths running alongside. France maps barges in france canals of france rivers. Canals of france hardcover january 1, 1997 by michelpaul simon author see all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. France boating holidays on french canals and rivers. We stop to learn more of the local farmers and fishermen and also to taste some of these famous shellfish. France s sundrenched waterway right in the south of the country winds along shady canals, bordered by trees that sway in the gentle breeze, while passing charming old villages and the remains of many interesting roman buildings.
Discover french canal boat holidays, no experience needed, no licence required. We offer over 800 hire boats for french boating holidays. For reference purposes, all waterways are listed, including many that have been abandoned for navigation, mostly in the period 19251955, but some in later years. Written and created from expert firsthand experience. Barges in france offers independent expert advice based on our direct experience with each barge. The first edition of through the french canals appeared in 1970. If you plan to cruise in france, the air draft becomes an important consideration when selecting a barge. Fancy exploring the canals of france but dont know where to start. Buy inland waterways of france 8th by edwardsmay, david isbn. Over 2700 copies of this book have been sold and it has become the standard pilot book for transiting the french canals to the mediterranean and back. The standard guide to the french canals and navigable rivers includes maps and distance tables for each waterway, giving the user a general view of the geography of each waterway as well as a detailed cockpit reference.
Canal cruising in france canal boat in france barging. Captain your own boat as you explore france from the unique perspective of your cruiser. It has no useful information on the facilities available in villages and towns along the canal. There are dozens of possible cruises, along a single canal or into other interconnected waterways. A bestseller for many years and now in its 12th edition, it is the essential planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the stunning scenery of the french waterways, or take their boat from the english channel through to the mediterranean via the inland route. Cruising through the beautiful canals and rivers of france. Canals and irrigation in foreign countries electronic resource. These flat paths make fantastic cycle routes, often travelling between main cities as of course, the canals were originally built in. French river cruising is the perfect way to discover the hidden treasures of the waterways. Traveling on your own vessel, at your own schedule and with just your own family or friends, is an ideal way to visit europe and experience the culture and customs of life in many countries. Explore the canals of france on croisieuropes fleet of france river boats explore now. The french network of waterways includes 100 canals and rivers, totaling over 8,000 kilometers.
Canal maps, books, pdf downloads and navigation guides. I am told 122006 that imrays map of the inland waterways of france does not give the width of the locks or the category of the canals. And tony roberts book is the only one which gives milebymileoops, kilometerguidance. The standard comprehensive hardback book guide to the french canals and navigable rivers includes maps and distance tables for each waterway, giving the user a general view of the geography of each waterway. Before you start comparing boats and booking companies, youll need to decide on a region to cruise. Site map founded 2003 is independent and impartial. Waterways of france the french network of waterways includes 100 canals and rivers, totaling over 8,000 kilometers. However, if you insist on having a separate paper map, there is an excellent selection available from the inland waterways association online shop. Cycling along the waterways of france bicycle books. Maps showing the major rivers and canal networks in various.
Plus the side branch canals but not the garonne, lot or baise. A bestseller for many years and now in its 12th edition, it is the essential planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise t. French waterways own unique pdf guides introduce some of the most interesting things to be enjoyed on and around the enchanting rivers and canals of france. I have been searching the internet for weeks trying to decide on a canal trip in france. Canals and inland waterways major inland waterways of europe. Other early british canals include a section of the river welland in lincolnshire, built in 1670. Why your next trip to europe should be on the canals. Canals and inland waterways canals and inland waterways major inland waterways of europe. The former provides a northsouth access through france and. Barges in france, belgium, england, scotland, ireland, holland, germany, and italy. Philip bristow of route details through routes to the mediterranean cruising inland waterways suitable and unsuitable boats equipment planning the cruise in the waterways of france locks. Waterways of france is available for download or as a printed book.
Sure, most visitors to france probably want to see the sights, from museums to nightlife. All the richness and diversity of france are embodied in the 80 navigable rivers and canals that are presented on these pages, with descriptions and practical information for planning cruises. The afternoon is dedicated to a tour of saintguilhemledesert, one of the most beautiful villages in france. The flow, control, and improvement of rivers and the design, construction, and development of canals both for navigation and irrigation, with statistics of the traffic on inland waterways, leveson francis vernonharcourt.
Note that the canals guides listed above all contain detailed maps. Series nicholsons guides to the waterways also available as. The canal was fitted with the first pond locks in britain, with the now familiar lifting vertical gates. Canal cruising in the south of france the romantic canal du midi is a practical and intimate kilometerbykilometer guide to the canal du midi and related waterways. Enjoy an unforgettable barge cruise vacation along the beautiful waterways of france. Although several sources are used and listed in the references below, an important source of uptodate information on french waterways is inland waterways of france, by david edwardsmay published by imray ltd in 2010, and its online version, navigation details for 80 french rivers and canals french waterways website section. France maps barges in france canals of france rivers of. Or purchase together and book has 15% discount buy together and book has 15% discount. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. If you are thinking about using the french canals to passage between the uk and the mediterranean then this book contains all the information you need. These flat paths make fantastic cycle routes, often travelling between main cities as of course, the canals were originally built in the 17th 19th centuries to transport goods.
France remains at the forefront of technology, architecture, fashion, and cuisine. Canals of france s tango is and authentic luxury french hotel canal barge. The canal du midi was the result of the vision of one man, pierrepaul riquet, who in 1662 wrote to combert, minister of louis xiv. Eurocanals guides can help you find boats, canals and moorings. The network is divided into eight regions, with between 7 and 15 waterways under each region, as listed below. The french canal routes to the mediterranean 7 chapter one overview of the routes the object of this book is to provide information on moving a boat via the french rivers and canals between the uk and the mediterranean. Sailing on the canals of france, our barges, the most modern in europe, are distinguishable by their refined comfort and design. Canal and river routes through france french waterways. This is a list of the navigable canals and rivers in france. Waterways of germany cruising guides for the canals.
I am writing to you from perpignan about my plans for a canal which could be built in this province of languedoc to connect the atlantic ocean and the mediterranean sea. A bestseller for many years and now in its th edition, it is the essential planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the stunning scenery of the french waterways, or take their boat from the english channel down to the mediterranean via the inland route. Discover the beauty of france and its countryside from the countrys canals and romantic rivers. Bettys barge takes us faraway and into a peacefully adventurous life exploring the historic canals of france aboard an antique dutch motor barge. Pampered by a crew of six, passengers enjoy the sweetness of life that characterizes these cruises. Descriptions, maps and data tables with waterway dimensions for 90 waterways throughout france. Describes all the routes for taking a boat between the english channel and the mediterranean via the rivers and canals of france. Bikes are always available to those who would like to explore the surrounding area. The most popular and longstanding destination for barge cruises is france, where canals wind among towering chateaux, vineyards, and rural landscapes throughout the country. Waterways of france cruising guides for the canals. European waterways offers luxury french barge cruises. Running over 100km combined, paris two largest canals run along the entire east half of the city. These days the canal du midi is a haven for tourists from across the world who come to. Besides burgundy, the canal du midi is renowned for its fabulous options for a barge cruise.